Arrest Warrant Requested for Operator Illegally Running Experiential Tourist Farm Ignoring Closure Order

Jeju Autonomous Police Agency to Seek Forfeiture and Recovery of Crime Proceeds from Illegal Development

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Autonomous Police Unit (Chief Ko Chang-kyung) announced on the 2nd that it has applied for an arrest warrant against Mr. A (male, in his 60s), who operated an ‘experience-type tourist ranch’ by illegally converting 13,000㎡ of forest land around OO Oreum in Seogwipo, on charges of violating the ‘Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Manure’ and the ‘Mountainous Area Management Act.’ Two partners, Mr. B and Mr. C, are under investigation without detention.

Since around April 2009, Mr. A illegally raised about 2,000 black goats in a location where livestock breeding is prohibited by law (Grade 2 groundwater resource conservation district). From around 2019, he began actively developing the ‘experience-type tourist ranch’ to attract tourists.

He illegally converted 13,000㎡ of forest land around OO Oreum by installing additional breeding facilities, creating feeding experience areas, parking lots, and more, causing forest damage amounting to approximately 96 million KRW.

To attract more tourists, he formed a partnership with Mr. B and Mr. C and damaged trees within the ranch site. They also illegally established amusement facilities (air bounce), climbing experiences using trees and ropes, and an ATV (leisure four-wheel motorcycle) experience course.

Operator Mr. A was reported by Seogwipo City Hall around May this year for failing to comply with the order to close illegal livestock breeding facilities. The autonomous police unit has been investigating additional violations, including unauthorized logging and mountain land conversion, unreported manure discharge facility installation, and unreported amusement facility installation.

The autonomous police unit believes that Mr. A had long prepared to create an experience-type tourist farm using livestock, and that violations such as forest damage for facility expansion were carried out gradually over a long period. They secured and analyzed related materials through a search and seizure of the business premises.

Moreover, the experience-type tourist farm developed through illegal activities is already in its final stage, charging up to about 30,000 KRW per person for admission and experience courses. It has become a famous tourist destination with about 30,000 visitors annually, generating over 200 million KRW in annual sales through promotion in local media.

Jeon Yong-sik, Chief of the Seogwipo Autonomous Police Unit, said, “Regarding the considerable revenue generated from the illegally established experience ranch with about 30,000 tourists visiting annually, we have cooperated with the Jeju District Prosecutor’s Office to apply to the court for seizure and confiscation of illegal profits.” He added, “We will not only punish illegal development of Jeju’s natural resources but also take measures to recover criminal proceeds obtained through such acts.”

Meanwhile, the autonomous police unit has so far processed 24 cases of violations of the Livestock Manure Act and 57 cases of violations of the Forest Act, arresting and indicting three individuals who illegally developed large-scale forest areas and indicting 94 others without detention.

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.